ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Shri Piyush Goyal meets Mr. Olivier Becht, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, Government of France
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal met the Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, Government of France, Mr. Olivier Becht yesterday as part of his visit to France.
The Ministers discussed their respective state of the economy where Mr. Becht highlighted that France has had the lowest inflation rate of 5.2% in the Euro Zone, which is half of the average of other EU countries; the unemployment stood at 7% and GDP growth in 2022 finished at 2.6%; expected growth is 0.6-1% for this year.
Shri Goyal mentioned that the Indian economy is stable. India is used to double-digit inflation and now we are 6 - 6.5%. from double-digit, he said. He shared that this year growth has been at 6.8% of GDP and a growth of 13% at nominal rates.
He shared that Trade has been growing and much more can be done. With the purchase of Rafale and the recent Airbus order, more value has been added to this partnership. Mr. Becht mentioned that bilateral trade was USD 15.1 Bn in 2021-22, doubled in the last decade; FDI has been USD 10 Bn from France which has been a top foreign investor in India. There is a will from French companies to invest in India, he added.
Indian companies are increasing investment in France and at the moment around 300 Mn Euro is invested, he shared. Shri Goyal highlighted that through breaking language barriers trade can further be expanded.
The Ministers discussed priority areas related to India - EU FTA negotiations where issues related to Market Access were deliberated. Shri Goyal further highlighted that India is looking to buy 2000 Commercial Aircrafts in the next 10 years and there is a huge opportunity to make commercial aircraft in India to meet domestic and International demand.
The Ministers also discussed mutual topics of interest at the World Trade Organisation.
Mr. Becht further dwelt on direct investments of French companies in India and shared that there is mutual opportunity in infrastructure, renewable energy and mobility. He highlighted that France has supported Public Projects in Kochi, Nagpur and Ahmedabad.
Shri Goyal invited Mr. Becht to India along with the French community at the sidelines of the G20 Trade Ministers meet in August, 2023.
Ministry of Education
Shri Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre takes over as Minister of State for Human Resource Development
The newly appointed Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Shri Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre, assumed charge of his office in Shastri Bhawan today. On his arrival at the Ministry of HRD in Shastri Bhawan, Shri Dhotre was received by Secretary, Higher Education, Shri R. Subramanyam and Secretary, School Education & Literacy Smt. Rina Ray and other senior officersvof the Ministry.
After assuming the charge,the Minister also held a meeting with the senior officers of the Ministry where he was briefed on the key initiatives and policy issues of the Ministry.
Shri Dhotre hails from Akola, Maharashtra. He is a graduate in Mechanical Engineering and did his engineering from Government College of Engineering, Amravati, Maharashtra. He is an Agriculturist
Engineer and Industrialist by profession. He is socially and culturally very active and participated actively in Art of Living and conducting Navchetana Shivir. Shri Dhotre has special interest in Reading, organic farming, spirituality, personality deveolpment, yoga, water conservation, infrastructure development in rural and semi-urban areas. His Favourite Pastime and Recreation is Reading and travelling.
Shri Dhotre is 4th time MP in current 17th Lok Sabha and represent Akola parliamentary constituency. Before becoming Member of Parliament he was a Member of Maharshtra Legislative Assembly from 1999 to 2004. First time he was elected as a Member of Parliament in 14th Lok Sabha in 2004. He has held some key positions in various parliamentary committees. He was a Member of Standing Committee.
Shri Dhotre was conferred Maharashtra Government Industry Award for excellent performance in 1987 and Late Shri Vasantrao Naik Memorial Award for outstanding work in agricultural sector.
Prime Minister's Office
In Mann ki Baat, PM praises Apps developed under AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge
In the latest address of Mann ki Baat, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that the youth participated enthusiastically in the AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge. He noted that nearly two thirds of the entries were made by the youth of tier two and tier three cities. Awards have been given to around two dozen Apps in different categories, he said, asking listeners to familiarise themselves with these Apps and to connect with them.
Prime Minister discussed about several of these apps, including Kutuki Kids Learning app, an interactive app for children; an app for micro blogging platform called ku KOO ku; Chingari App which is getting popular among the youth; Ask Sarkar app to get right information about any government scheme; Step Set Go, a fitness app etc.
Prime Minister said that today's small start-ups will transform into big companies tomorrow and become the mark of India in the world, adding that one should not forget that the big companies which exist in the world today, were also, once, start-ups.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
73.05 Cr. vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
33,376 new cases in the last 24 hours
Active cases account for 1.18% of total cases
India's Active caseload stands at 3,91,516
Recovery Rate currently at 97.49%
32,198 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 3,23,74,497
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 3% for last 78 days
Daily positivity rate  less than 3% for last 12 days
54.01 cr Total Tests conducted so far
Ministry of Railways
Freight figures continue to impress and move on much higher trajectory compared to last year in terms of earnings and loading in the first week of October for Railways
Loading crosses last year’s loading for the same period by 18 % while earning from freight is also Rs. 250.71 crores higher compare to last year’s earnings for the same period
In the month of October 2020 till 8th October 2020 Indian Railways loading was 26.14 million tonnes which is 18% higher compare to last year’s loading  for the same period
Sector specific meetings being held to further push the loading and further improve coordination among all stake holders at all levels
Meetings held with industry leaders of Cement, coal power, steel, iron ore, automobiles during last one week
Number of concessions/ discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make Railways Freight movement very attractive
Freight figures continue to impress and move on much higher trajectory compared to last year in terms of earnings and loading in the first week of October for Railway.
On mission mode, Indian Railways' Freight loading for the month of October 2020 till 08th October 2020 crossed last year’s loading and earnings for the same period.
In the month of October 2020, till 08th October, Indian Railways loading was 26.14 million tonnes which is 18% higher compare to last year’s loading for the same period . In this period Indian Railways earned Rs. 2477.07 Crores from freight loading which is also Rs. 250.71 Cr. higher compare to last year’s earnings for the same period .
In the month of October till 08th October 2020 Indian Railways loading was 26.14 million tonnes which includes 11.47 million tonnes of coal, 3.44 million tonnes of iron ore, 1.28 million tonnes of foodgrains, 1.5 million tonnes of fertilizers and 1.56 million tonnes of cement .
It is worth mentioning that a number of concessions/ discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make Railways Freight movement very attractive.
It may be noted that improvements in freight movements will be institutionalized and incorporated in the upcoming zero based time table.
Covid 19 has been used by Indian Railways an opportunity to improve all round efficiencies and performances.
|
Ministry of Jal Shakti
|
Contamination of Ground Water
Central Ground Water Board  generates ground water quality data of the country on a regional scale as part of its ground water quality monitoring program and various scientific studies. These studies indicate the occurrence of arsenic in ground water beyond permissible limits  for human consumption in isolated pockets in various States / UTs including West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Chhattisgarh.
The details of partly affected districts with arsenic contaminants beyond permissible limits in ground water of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Chhattisgarh are given in Annexure-I. Specific information on arsenic affected population is not readily available.
Water being a State subject, initiatives on water quality is primarily States’ responsibility; however, various steps have been taken by the Central Government for providing contamination free water in the country.
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, ShriBishweswarTuduin a written reply in LokSabha today.
Ministry of Defence
CURTAIN RAISER - AERO INDIA
EMPOWERING NAVAL AVIATION AND SELF RELIANCE
The Biennial event of Aero India 2023, is scheduled to be held at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru from 13-17 Feb 23. The event offers a platform for the industry to showcase their latest equipment, helicopters and aircraft. It also provides an opportunity for defence personnel to interact with OEM representatives and gain first-hand experience on the products which are envisaged for future induction into Armed Forces.
In pursuance to nation’s goal to achieve ‘AatmaNirbharta’, Indian Navy has recently landed the LCA , the indigenous technology demonstrator fighter  onboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. The aircraft was flown by an Indian naval test pilot. This niche capability is the result of Indian Navy’s long term vision of AatmaNirbharBharat.
During Aero India 2023, the Indian Navy is participating in a number of activities. The indigenous aircraft, ALH Mk III and MR aircraft P8I would participate in the fly past and static display respectively during the event. In keeping with the emphasis on self-reliance, a customized graphic Photo-Essay, compiled by HAL, for use as a reference document for undertaking repairs of engines of MiG 29K aircraft, would be presented by CMD HAL to the Chief of the Naval Staff. In addition, a project of analysing Health Usage & Monitoring System  of MiG 29K aircraft, using Artificial Intelligence, has been included as part of ‘Launch of New Technology’ by DRDO. This will significantly reduce the data analysis time resulting in faster turnaround of aircraft and better prediction for preventive maintenance. A seminar on the topic ‘AatmaNirbharta in Aero Armament Sustenance’ is being conducted by the Indian Navy, in collaboration with DDP. The seminar will provide a platform to key stakeholders from the MoD, User, Maintainer, QA agencies, DRDO, DPSUs and the Indian industry to engage in detailed discussions on the Govt’s initiative and way-ahead for taking on sustenance of missiles held with the Armed Forces.
Constant engagement with Academia and Industry has been a focus area of IN’s efforts to achieve Self Reliance. Towards this MoUs are signed between various academic institutions and key Industry partners for knowledge and resource sharing. During Aero India 2023, two major partners viz., ISRO and M/s AV Oil are being engaged through MoUs as part of the event ‘Bandhan’.
Having grown in scope and magnitude over the years, Aero India would prove another stepping stone towards growth and empowerment of Naval Aviation and self-reliance of the Nation’s Defence Forces.
___________________________________________________________________
VM/JSN 13/23
(Visitor Counter : 1440
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN NAVY CONDUCTS ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME FOR SENIOR OFFICERS OF EDUCATION BRANCH
Indian Navy conducted its Annual Education Officers Enrichment Programme 2023 on 05 & 06 Oct 23 at New Delhi. The programme was attended by R Adm Rajvir Singh, Principal Indian Naval Academy, Commodore G Rambabu, Commodore  and other senior officers of Education Branch of IN. The main objective of this programme was to discuss various policy initiatives and contemporary issues related to the branch and further improve its functional effectiveness towards growth and development of IN.
As part of this programme, guest speakers from National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration  and Indira Gandhi National Open University  were invited to deliver lectures on latest developments in the field of education including Higher Education. In addition, speakers from sister services, other educational bodies and other Directorates at Naval Headquarters delivered lectures on relevant and contemporary topics. In his closing address, VAdm K Swaminathan, Chief of Personnel & Controller Personnel Services complimented recent initiatives by the Directorate of Naval Education and branch’s role in the field of education, training and welfare of Naval personnel. He exhorted the delegates to continue providing effective leadership towards moulding the branch in line with ever evolving role of the IN.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
DEVELOPMENT OF INLAND WATERWAYS AND ARTH GANGA INITIATIVE
Modal share of Inland Water Transport  in freight movement is 2%. Based on the findings of feasibility studies/Detailed Project Reports , about 5149 km length of 26 National Waterways  has been found feasible for development for the purpose of shipping and navigation. The utilization of waterways depends on various factors which primarily include availability of vessels, uninterrupted fairway and economical first & last mile connectivity. There has been constraint on availability of vessels in the private sector for various reasons which are mostly market driven. In the case of fairway, the fairway development carried out is sustainable to the desired level only when the conservancy works undertaken are reinforced by the adequate water discharges down the stream.
Under the circumstances, there has been positive growth trends in the IWT traffic from 19.77 MTPA during 2001-02 to 96.31 MTPA during 2021-22 .
As per RITES Report of 2014 on “Integrated National Waterways Transportation Grid”, the cost comparison between Inland Water Transport  mode and other dominant modes of surface transport is as below:
|
|
Mode
|
|
Railways
|
|
Highways
|
|
IWT
|
|
Freight 
|
|
1.36
|
|
2.50
|
|
1.06
Freight movement on NW-1  has increased from 4.89 Million Tonne  in 2016-17 to 9.21 MT in 202-21 there by marking an increase of 88% since 2016-17 and Compound Annual Growth Rate  of 17%. Inland Waterways Authority of India has undertaken implementation of World Bank assisted Jal Marg Vikas Project at a total cost of Rs. 4634 cr. including the work on activities aligned to the Arth Ganga Concept at a cost of Rs. 746 cr. On the concept of Arth Ganga, JMVP-II was conceptualized in July 2020 with the objective of boosting socio-economic development and economic benefits to the farmers, traders & public living around the Ganga, logistics cost reduction, etc. Arth- Ganga programme is at initial stage and is progressing as per the original schedule.
The JMVP-II  includes among others development of 62 nos. of community jetties and 10 nos.  of Ro-Ro terminals in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
|
|
S.No.
|
|
State
|
|
Community Jetties
|
|
Ro-Ro terminals
|
|
1
|
|
Bihar
|
|
21 nos.
|
|
6 locations
|
|
2
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
15 nos.
|
|
1 locations
|
|
3
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
3 nos.
|
|
2 locations
|
|
4
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
23 nos.
|
|
1 locations
Works under Arth Ganga are at DPR/Tendering stage.
No projects on the lines of Arth Ganga has been implemented/proposed for Maharashtra and Southern States.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
Special Service and Features
1.78KgGold worth Rs. 90.4lakhs seized by Chennai Air Customs. Two arrested
Based oninformation that gold was likely to be smuggled from Dubai, three passengersNasar Ali Sirajudin ,36,Mohamed Aakif Babu Badshah,20, both of Trichyand Mohamed Kadafi,49, of Chennai who had arrived by flights Fly Dubai 8517and Air India Express IX-1644 from Dubai respectively, were intercepted at exit.During their personal search six bundles of gold paste concealed in rectum were recovered from two persons and two bundles from the third person along with 2 gold cut bits weighing 81 grams from his trouser pocket.8 gold paste bundles weighing 1.88 kg were recovered which on extraction yielded 1.7 kg of gold.Total 1.78 kg gold of 24 k purity valued at Rs. 90.4 lakhs was recovered and seized under Customs Act. Nasar Ali and Mohammad Aakif Babu were arrested.
1.78Kg gold valued at Rs.90.4 lakhs was recovered and seized under Customs Act.Two arrested.
Further investigation is under process, according to a press release issued by the Commissioner of Customs Chennai International Airport.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Measures to Check Illegal Immigrations
In the state of Assam, there are six Detention Centres to hold “Declared Foreigners” as adjudicated by Foreigners Tribunals.
As on 25 May, 2019 the declared foreigners detained in the Detention Centres were 1,133, with the following details:-
|
|
S.No.
|
|
Detention Centre
|
|
Nos.
|
|
1
|
|
Goalpara
|
|
267
|
|
2
|
|
Kokrajhar
|
|
181
|
|
3
|
|
Silchar
|
|
70
|
|
4
|
|
Dibrugarh
|
|
48
|
|
5
|
|
Jorhat
|
|
215
|
|
6
|
|
Tezpur
|
|
352
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
1133 Nos.
Two Pilot projects have been taken up to replace the existing “old design/composite fencing” with a new “anti-cut and anti-rust” modular fencing . While the pilot project for construction of New Design Fence in 3 Km border length in Assam has been completed, another pilot project in 7.18 Km border length in Punjab has been approved and work has been awarded.
It has been decided to deploy technological solutions in the form of Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System , in difficult terrain on Indo-Pakistan Border  and Indo-Bangladesh Border . CIBMS involves integration of manpower, sensors, networks, intelligence and command & control solutions and includes inter alia Electro-Optic Sensors , Radars and other devices. To begin with two pilot projects covering about 71 Kms. on Indo-Pakistan Border  and Indo-Bangladesh Border  have been completed.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to question in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Interacts with The Senior Leadership of Indian Army During Army Commanders’ Conference
The Army Commanders’ Conference, an apex level biannual event, is being held in New Delhi from 07 to 11 Nov 2022. During the event, Indian Army's apex leadership is comprehensively deliberating upon all aspects of existing security scenarios and challenges for the present security apparatus. In addition, the conference is also focusing on issues pertaining to organisational restructuring, logistics, administration, human resource management, modernisation through indigenisation and induction of Niche technologies. The main highlight of the third day of the conference was the interaction of the Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh, with the senior leadership of the Indian Army, which was preceded by a briefing the “Transformational imperatives for a future ready force” plans of the Indian Army.
The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri reasserted the faith of the billion-plus citizens in the Indian Army as one of the most trusted and inspiring organisations in the country. He highlighted the stellar role played by the Army in guarding our borders and fighting terrorism apart from providing assistance to the civil administration whenever called for. The Raksha Mantri complimented the forces for the high standard of operational preparedness and capabilities which he has always been experiencing first hand during his visits to forward areas. He commended the Army’s efforts to develop niche technologies in collaboration with civil industries, including premier educational institutions and thereby progressing towards the aim of ‘Modernisation through Indigenisation’ or ‘Atam Nirbharta’.
The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri commended the Indian Army for maintaining a high operational readiness towards ensuring security and national sovereignty and commended that “I have full faith and confidence in the Indian Army and its leadership”. He concluded by saying that we ought to be prepared for any operational contingencies and hence the operational readiness should always be at its peak level.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Bangladesh- India hold Commerce Secretary level meeting at Dhaka
The Commerce Secretary level meeting between Bangladesh and India was held in Dhaka on 8 March 2021. The Bangladesh delegation was led by Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of Bangladesh, Dr. Md. Jafar Uddin and the Indian delegation was led by Commerce Secretary, Government of India, Dr Anup Wadhawan.
Noting the decision taken by both countries to jointly celebrate Mujib Borsho, the 50th anniversary of the Bangladesh Liberation War and 50 years of India-Bangladesh bilateral ties, the Indian delegation conveyed their greetings on the historic Mujib Borsho. Extensive discussions were held on a variety of issues of mutual interest such as streamlining Certificate of Origin procedures, regional connectivity initiatives, anti-dumping duty on Jute products, harmonization of standards, removal of port restrictions, trade infrastructure-related issues, India-Bangladesh CEOs’ Forum, sharing of trade data, upgradation of border trading infrastructure. Both sides decided to expeditiously move forward on the feasibility study on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement .
During his visit, Commerce Secretary, Government of India called on Hon’ble Minister of Commerce, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Mr. Tipu Munshi and Private Industry and Investment Advisor to Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh Mr. Salman F Rahman. Further, India Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce  President along with his board members called on the Commerce Secretary and discussed ways to further enhance the bilateral trade.
The meeting was preceded by the 13th meeting of the Joint Working Group  on Trade between the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India on 16-17 February 2021 virtually. Technical discussions were held in detail at the JWG on various areas of mutual interest in trade and commerce.
It was agreed that the next meetings of the Commerce Secretaries and the JWG will be held in India, at mutually convenient dates.